Emmys Red Carpet Highlights Feature Zendaya, Nicole Kidman and Tailored Looks

Television’s biggest and brightest stars gathered at the Peacock Theater on Monday for the 78th annual Emmy Awards, an event that blended industry milestones with a distinctly pared-down fashion sensibility. As the TV Academy’s events crew rolled away the blue carpet, the evening set a transitional tone for the medium, punctuated by historic wins, emotional tributes, and notable sartorial statements.

Emmys Red Carpet Highlights and Tailored Trends

According to fashion expert Maggie Gillette, the red carpet favored a more restrained palette of black and white alongside strong ’90s-inspired silhouettes. Women’s suiting maintained a prominent presence, while male attendees leaned into double-breasted jackets, wider-leg trousers, and statement brooches.

High-profile looks commanded attention throughout the evening. Nicole Kidman appeared in a Chanel look that balanced softness and structure. Bridal fashion designer Hayley Paige praised the ensemble, noting the tension between the frothy, almost-feathered neckline and the disciplined fitted bodice. Zendaya wore a crystal-covered Prada gown paired with a pixie haircut, a combination fashion experts described as theatrical performance art. Florence Pugh wore a Vivienne Westwood gown in washed lavender with a watery quality, while Chase Infiniti opted for a metallic bronze Louis Vuitton gown featuring dimensional bubbles and a sculptural silhouette.

Menswear also saw distinct styling moments. Sterling K. Brown wore a saturated blue suit with a liquid sheen. Martin Short and Steve Martin leaned into classic black tie, prompting comparisons to a well-executed culinary cut from Paige. Meanwhile, Adam Brody bypassed the traditional tuxedo for a Prada suit carrying a subtle ’70s influence and a small scarf in place of a tie, and Paul W. Downs wore a double-breasted tuxedo featuring a single satin lapel and a brooch.

Attendee	Designer / Brand	Key Style Elements
Zendaya	Prada	Crystal-covered gown, deep V-neck, pixie haircut
Nicole Kidman	Chanel	Structured bodice, feathered neckline
Florence Pugh	Vivienne Westwood	Washed lavender tulle, sculpted wet-look fabric
Chase Infiniti	Louis Vuitton	Metallic bronze finish, dimensional bubbles
Sterling K. Brown	Custom Tailoring	Saturated blue suit, liquid sheen
Adam Brody	Prada	’70s-influenced suit, scarf replacing tie

Ceremony Highlights and Historic Wins

Mariska Hargitay served as the evening's host — making her the first female host in 15 years — and cycled through multiple wardrobe changes while incorporating guest appearances from figures such as Jalen Brunson and Taylor Swift. The ceremony opened with reflective themes rather than heavy political discourse, though Sally Field offered a subtle line during her acceptance speech for the Netflix movie Remarkably Bright Creatures regarding the value of uncompromised storytelling.

Apple CEO John Ternus attended the event following a red carpet appearance showcasing a foldable iPhone, celebrating a major milestone for the company's streaming platform. For the first time since its launch, Apple TV led all outlets with 28 total trophies across the Emmy ceremonies. Freshman comedy Widow's Bay secured a record-setting 14 wins, while Pluribus added six. HBO placed second with 21 total trophies, driven by DTF St Louis with seven and The Pitt with six. Netflix followed with 16 wins.

Individual honoress included Jean Smart, who claimed her fifth straight Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for Hacks. Matthew Rhys achieved history by winning two lead acting Emmys in the same night for Widow’s Bay and The Beast in Me. Noah Wyle took home the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama for The Pitt, while Stephen Colbert secured his final two Emmys for his late-night program.

The telecast also incorporated somber moments honoring industry losses, featuring musical tributes by Reba McEntire and Noah Kahan during the In Memoriam segment. Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, delivering a speech detailing his journey with Parkinson's diagnosis.

Post-Ceremony Celebrations

Following the awards presentation, celebrations extended into the early morning hours of Tuesday at afterparties hosted by HBO Max, Apple TV+, The Walt Disney Company, and Netflix. Attendees traded their red carpet garments for alternative evening ensembles. Sarah Pidgeon continued a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-inspired fashion streak in a black dress, Louisa Jacobson wore purple velvet suiting at the HBO gathering, and Grace Gummer wore a sequined high-collar black gown at the Disney event. Cast members from The Pitt, including Supriyah Ganesh, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi, also transitioned into new looks following the medical drama's second consecutive win for top prize.